'What happened when I did reformer pilates for 3 weeks'

That is until I committed my yoga-doing butt to doing Reformer Pilates at Heartcore three times a week for three weeks.

I wasn't going to get over my fear of those huge, terrifying machines for just anyone - Heartcore have a faultless reputation so at least I'd be safe hands (I thought as I waved goodbye to my usually stationary lunch hours).

Heartcore describe their Dynamic Pilates classes as 'the most effective body + mind workout'. I don't disagree but the notes I made after my first week there read: "Pain. Such agonising pain. Pain like never before."

I'm not even being that dramatic but just to clarify, by 'pain' I mean that telltale muscle ache you get when you've really pushed it in a workout. The notable thing about this ache, though, was that it was all over - in places I didn't even know I had muscles before.

Pilates has been loved by many for years for its low-impact, spine-aligning, muscle-sculpting effects but reformer pilates takes it one step further. By adding in the reformer machine you're able to test and stretch your body in more dynamic, powerful ways. In the hands of Jess Schuring, founder of Heartcore, this means a carefully constructed workout that combines high intensity reps with challenging postures which together sculpt and define your body in a unique and effective way.

There's no getting around how genuinely difficult Heartcore's pilates classes are, thankfully the classes are small so you get plenty of support and attention from the instructor who will adjust the resistance and postures to suit you.

In my first class I found just rolling on the bed of the reformer and ignoring the fear of falling flat on my face a challenge, but by week three I was doing pikes with added resistance - the challenge is high at Heartcore but you improve rapidly. The classes are also soundtracked by upbeat, uplifting music and the moves are timed to the beat meaning the class whizzes by in what feels like minutes.

Here's how my pilates journey progressed...

Week 1

Honestly, week one was just about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It takes a few classes to get used to rolling the bed with different moves, adding and removing resistance and getting your posture correct.

In fact I was so focused on executing the moves correctly I barely noticed the fact I was actually challenging (and changing my body). Until the next morning of course when PAIN, SUCH PAIN.

Week 2

Three classes in and suddenly the reformer machine seems much less intimidating and I'm starting to put more energy into the amount of repetitions I'm managing and what resistance I'm using. I've noticed that my body craves the class too, sliding into the postures feels so gratifying and stretching out at the end is pure bliss.

Even though it's only week two I'm already so much better than during my first classes. It's partly confidence but it's also increased strength and focus meaning I can push myself into the more challenging postures like plank to pike repetitions.

Throwing myself into each move more also means more pain after class. I spend this whole week incredibly conscious of my muscles, all of which feel worked. It's nothing an epsom salt bath can't soothe and it feels amazing to know I'm working my body properly.

Week 3

It's official. I'm stronger, I'm also leaner. No one but me would notice the change in my physique but after three weeks that's enough for me. My stomach is definitely flatter but most noticeably my posture is better, I'm holding my head high and my alignment is much improved and this people do notice.

Importantly even after doing the same class three times a week for three weeks I'm nowhere near bored. Each class brings with it a fresh challenge and as you master a move there's always a way to go deeper or adjust your positioning to step it up a notch.

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